Okay, Update Time...

Okay.... so life has certainly been interesting the last few weeks. For starters, it's Christmas time, and that means that this choir director has been very busy. The Kaleidoscope Children's Choir & the KCFC Youth Choir sang at Crown Center last Friday night. Tons of fun! The children looked beautiful in their concert black attire with the red sparkly vests.... We had a whole lot of fun, and there were SO MANY people there from our church supporting us. As the children were coming down the escalator to go to the choir risers to perform, they were single file, and people were applauding the fact that the Kaleidoscope Children's Choir was on it's way! Too funny... and really neat. The children did a marvelous job, as did the youth choir. Amanda even hit the high A at the end of "Sing Noel!" Wonderful! Goosebump moment.

After we performed our concert, Don, Dyan, Meg, Christian & I had dinner at Fritz's. They have a theme that is all about trains. There is a giant train out front, and inside, they have a train that brings you your food, and goes around on a track all the time. Christian loved it..... Too fun!

***

Last Sunday, Don & I went to the Chiefs game.... and froze our patooties off! I cannot remember when I have been that cold! It took my legs about 4 hours to thaw out! Wish I would have remembered to bring a blanket to the stadium.... and we lost by 1 pt. That really sucked. Par for the course, this year....

***
I still love my Chiefs.

***
I've been experiencing severe depression the past several months. Been in a funk that I can't seem to get out of. I've had really scary thoughts... and finally went to my doctor today. She changed my "happy" pills. Tomorrow I start on Cymbalta. We'll see how it goes. Perhaps I should just build a bridge and get over everything! I mean, why should I be sad all the time? I have EVERYTHING I ever need... a good husband & friend, great daughters, wonderful son in laws, a wonderful grandson, a good car, food, a nice house... so why should I be so sad? Well, I have no idea.... that's the puzzlement. We are learning to live life in a new way because of Don; I'm an empty nester after living my life for my kids for so long; my mom is gone and I miss her so much; I don't seem to have a focus in life right now; I'm perimenopausal, and think I'm losing my mind! All of these things add up together. I'll be alright, though.

***
I'm really hoping that this year, for Christmas, that Dyan & Jory & Christian come to our home for the Christmas Eve party. I hope that Scott & Jenny & Chase also come.... It's been such a long time since I've had my own daughter here on Christmas Eve, and I miss that so much. They've always spent Christmas Eve with Scott, so that they could open their gifts. But this year, he postponed that since Jenny & Jeremy won't be able to be there... So, I really, REALLY hope that they all come to my house instead. I'd love it so much, and I know that Dyan misses coming here too. I hope and pray it works out this way this year.

***
Ugh... it's supposed to be an ice storm tomorrow. Sheesh.... I'm getting quite tired of the snow & ice already! Enough already!

***
And that's my life so far.

I'm okay!

Yes, I'm okay. People, stop worrying about me, okay? I'll be fine, I promise. I just am in a funk, but I will get out of it! I always do. The Lord is helping me through this time, and together, we'll make it. I dunno, something about the holidays just seems to make some more prone to depression. I do NOT think that's how the Lord would want us to feel at this time of year. I will kick it. I will be fine. Period. So, stop worrying about me and just buy me a cup of really good coffee.... Starbucks grande latte, 2 pumps of white chocolate mocha, no whip.

***
We had our first real snow of the season. Lee's Summit got almost 4 inches. I was at Dyan's yesterday, when the snowstorm started. She was coloring my hair, and it was lovely watching the snow fall. Christian thought it was great! He decided he wanted to play outside in it. So, Dyan got him all dressed in his snow suit, coat & 2 hats, and he looked like that kid on "A Christmas Story" who said, "I can't put my arms down!" LOL Well, he was all gung-ho to get outside, and the minute Dyan opened the door for him to go out, he stopped dead in his tracks. So, Grandma, with foil in her hair & all wet with hair color, and wearing sweat pants, uggs, & a hairdresser's cape, went outside with Christian. I had to show him that it was FUN! We kicked the snow, and then i told him Grandma had to go inside. I made Dyan get her coat on and go outside and play with her son. OMGosh, Christian loved playing in the snow. He took out all of his toy trucks and just had a great time! He must have played out there for at least an hour. And when he came inside, he didn't want to take off his snow clothes. Silly boy....

***
We leave for our cruise 2 weeks from Saturday. Can't wait! Can't believe it's coming so quickly! We fly to LA on the 27th, will stay in Long Beach that night, and get to the ship the next day. Our good friends from the LA area will join us on the cruise. Jerry & Lorene. Good friends.

***
I did start my Christmas shopping on Monday. Probably shouldn't have, since I was in a funk and didn't really enjoy it... I'll finish my shopping next Monday. Don & I aren't really getting anything for each other. Our cruise is our gift.... that and a couple of excursions ~ learning how to make wonderful, authentic margaritas & learning the salsa, and a cooking class..... and in Puerto Vallarta, we'll zip line. I'm terrified of heights, but I knew Don would love it... so I signed us up. I'm crazy.... I cannot wait for our vacation.... to escape reality for a little while. That will be nice. And New Year's cruises are so fun! The ship is still decorated for Christmas, and there are fun parties on New Year's Eve....

***
Christian & Dyan are coming over tomorrow afternoon to finish making her Christmas cards. I will be making my golden caramels tomorrow. Gotta get going in the morning, to the grocery store, to the office, to the bank & to the salon for a pedicure. My appt. is at 11:30... After that, it's back home to spend 4 hours standing over the stove stirring and stirring and stirring the caramels. Lots of work, but they are SO WORTH IT...

***
Friday night, my children's choir & youth choir will be singing at Crown Center. Fun times ahead... That's always so fun because the children are in their festive attire & there are really big Christmas trees there, and it's just lots of fun! Other than that, I have no big plans for this weekend. Feels nice.

***
And that's my life so far...

I'm CRAZY about my husband! <3

Okay, so most of you know I've been having a very difficult time lately, battling depression. I just can't seem to kick it.... I've been crying alot lately... and today was no different. I'm just not handling life very well right now. I'll be alright and all, but sometimes, I just can't get out of the rut I'm in, and all I wanna do is cry, or rather, I cry easily. I cried this morning when Don came by the house, to see how I was doing. I cried when Dyan called me on the telephone and asked what I was doing on Thursday, that she wanted to finish the Christmas cards.... Oy.... I was a mess! So, I finally got my shower. After NOON, for Goodness' sake. I didn't blowdry my hair. Left it curly today. I did get dressed & put makeup on. Then I ate lunch around 1:30 or so.... leftover white chili & half a turkey sandwich & a banana. I FINALLY got around to going through the last 2 week's worth of mail. Shredded lots of stuff... put the bills in a little pile, looked thru circulars.... then balanced my checking / savings accounts. Now all I have to do is input the bills on Quickbooks & pay them. Gotta wait 'til Thur.... cause the money is tight this week. Well, anyway, I was a basketcase today.... and so Don comes home and tells me he's taking me to dinner. We went to Chili's - sat at the bar, talked and watched a basketball game for a while, shared our meals. We pretty much ate off of each other's plate... he had ribs & fries, I had shrimp / pasta. We shared. Then he told me he had a surprise for me.... I asked him and he said at the same time, "Is it sparkly? / It's not diamonds!" LOL Too funny..... Well, after dinner, he took me on a little ride.... and we ended up at Longview Farms Christmas in the Park!!!!! I loooooooooooooved it! It's this place at Longview Lake where they have lots and lots of Christmas decorations. You drive through it with your dimmer lights on, and the decorations are all animated.... and it's just MAGICAL.... Totally lifted my spirits....

I just had to share what a great husband I have.... I'm a lucky woman! I'm crazy about him!

And that's my life so far! Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!